M-x list-directory (C-x C-d) is probably what you want? or M-x dired, then M-x dired-hide-details-mode If you always want to hide detail, add a hook. Like this: (defun xah-dired-mode-setup () "to be run as hook for `dired-mode'." (dired-hide-details-mode 1)) (add-hook 'dired-mode-hook 'xah-dired-mode-setup) If you really want them all in a single line, M-x shell-command (M-!) and `ls -m` is probably the best. Or, better I think is just M-x eshell, then do `ls`.